This post was inspired by the Pulp Fiction exhibition* at the Canberra Museum and Art Gallery that ran from August to October this year. The exhibition used materials from two collectors, Graeme Flanagan (d. 2015) and James Doig, who also wrote the accompanying booklet. Doig says that Flanagan "amassed one of the most significant collections of … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Pulp fiction, 1940s to 1970s
Australian literature
Amy Witting, Afterplay (#Review)
Amy Witting's first novel wasn't published until 1977, when she was 59 years old, which is why she appeared in my late bloomers post a few years ago. She went on to publish five more novels after that - two of which I read and enjoyed long before blogging - and she was an accomplished … Continue reading Amy Witting, Afterplay (#Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: ABC RN presenters name their 2017 summer picks
Well, folks, it's getting to the time of year when people start producing lists, and so, as last year, I'll be joining the fray, starting this week with books recommended by ABC Radio National's presenters - the bookworms amongst them, anyhow - for us to read over the coming summer. However, as last year, not … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: ABC RN presenters name their 2017 summer picks
Betty McLellan, Ann Hannah, my (un)remarkable grandmother: A psychological biography (#BookReview)
Betty McLellan's Ann Hannah, my (un)remarkable grandmother: A psychological biography disconcerted me at first. I'd never heard of a psychological biography (which, I presume, is the same as psychobiography) so I was intrigued by McLellan's discussion in the Introduction of her decision to use this approach. I did feel, for a chapter or two that she was … Continue reading Betty McLellan, Ann Hannah, my (un)remarkable grandmother: A psychological biography (#BookReview)
Helen Garner, Why she broke: The woman, her children and the lake (#Review)
Three years ago I reviewed Helen Garner's This house of grief about Robert Farquharson who drove his car into a dam in Victoria, resulting in the deaths of his three sons. It's a grim grim story, so you might wonder why I am now writing about her essay "Why she broke: The woman, her children and … Continue reading Helen Garner, Why she broke: The woman, her children and the lake (#Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Interviews with Aussie writers
Those of you who read my December Six Degrees meme will know that the starting book was Stephen King's It. Not surprisingly, a couple of bloggers - Kate (booksaremyfavouriteandbest) and Lisa (anzlitlovers) - made their first link Stephen King's On writing. Lisa then went on to link to an Australian book on writing, Kate Grenville's … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Interviews with Aussie writers
Unbreakable: Conversation with Jelena Dokic
If you are a fan of professional tennis you will probably have heard of Jelena Dokic who hit the world stage during the 1999 Wimbledon Championships. She was just 16 years old, and, as Wikipedia writes, "achieved one of the biggest upsets in tennis history, beating Martina Hingis 6-2, 6-0. This remains the only time … Continue reading Unbreakable: Conversation with Jelena Dokic
Monday musings on Australian literature: Teaching indigenous texts
This post was inspired by an email I received from Reading Australia announcing a partnership with the Broome-based indigenous publisher Magabala Books for a project that was inspired by the many teachers who reached out to Reading Australia to ask for more resources on works by Indigenous creators, and particularly units that showed non-Indigenous teachers … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Teaching indigenous texts
Non-fiction November 2017, Weeks 4 and 5
In my last My Literary Week post, I took part (sort of) in the Non-Fiction November meme, giving my responses for the first three weeks. Because the last two weeks ask some questions, I'd like to answer, I've decided to combine them is a second post. It's probably cheating, but ... Week 4, Nov. 20 to … Continue reading Non-fiction November 2017, Weeks 4 and 5
Stephanie Buckle, Habits of silence (#BookReview)
I have been champing at the bit to read local author Stephanie Buckle's debut short story collection, Habits of silence, ever since I attended its launch in August by John Clanchy at the Canberra Writers Festival. The readings that both Clanchy and Buckle herself gave from the book grabbed my attention and convinced me that … Continue reading Stephanie Buckle, Habits of silence (#BookReview)
Whispering Gums 